Chapter 49: Infertility

Chapter 49: Infertility

Madam Shen is critically ill.

She has always been in poor health, and upon learning that Shen Rui had been deceiving her for decades, she fell into deep depression, causing her condition to rapidly deteriorate.

The news arrived at the Marquis's residence, and Madam Wei's face grew serious.

"Madam Shen's illness stems from her heart. Unless she finds inner peace, her situation is critical."

But if she could truly find inner peace, she wouldn't have allowed herself to reach this point.

"The Shen family reported that the imperial physician has already diagnosed her. Madam Shen is unlikely to survive the winter," the messenger said.

"Unlikely to survive the winter? Then the wedding between Mrs. Shen and the third son must be advanced."

When parents die, their children must observe a three-year mourning period. The wedding of Shen Qiuyu and Wei Xun is set for the beginning of the year. If Madam Shen passes away before then, their wedding will have to be postponed for three years.

Naturally, Madam Wei does not want this.

"Go to the Shen family and convey a message, saying that the wedding should be advanced."

......

Shen Qiuyu has been caring for her mother at her bedside these days. She is more worried than anyone about her mother's illness.

Her father can no longer be relied upon. Since Madam Shen became ill, he hasn't visited even once. Shen Qiuyu sent a servant to the front courtyard to look for him, but there were always excuses.

Either he was too busy with official duties, or he was resting. After being approached multiple times, he stopped returning to the residence altogether.

Shen Qiuyu's people found out where her father was. During the time Madam Shen was ill, he had been accompanying his mistress.

Decades of marital love couldn't compare to a mistress. Shen Qiuyu was heartbroken and couldn't help panicking.

Would she and Wei Xun end up like that?

Given how much Wei Xun cares for A Yuan, perhaps she would fare even worse than Madam Shen.

Yet, even so, Shen Qiuyu would not let go.

She is not Madam Shen. She won't be driven to despair just because she doesn't have a man's love. In this world, only the power and status one holds in their own hands are real. She needs the marriage to the Marquis's family, she needs the identity of Wei Xun's wife.

As for A Yuan, sooner or later, the man will grow tired of her, and then she will be at Shen Qiuyu's mercy.

"Miss, there's a message from the Marquis's residence. They want to advance your wedding with the Wei Crown Prince."

Nanny Chen hurried in, smiling as she relayed the news to Shen Qiuyu.

"Advance it? Is it true?"

Shen Qiuyu stood up abruptly, her eyes filled with excitement.

She had been worried these past few days that her mother's illness would affect the wedding, and now the Marquis's residence had sent this news.

Nanny Chen helped her sit down, "Of course it's true. Madam Wei personally sent the stewardess to inquire, asking if you would be willing..."

"I am willing!"

Shen Qiuyu quickly replied. How could she not be willing? If Madam Shen truly doesn't make it through the winter, she would have to observe a three-year mourning period.

Three years is too long, and too much could change.

Wei Xun is already twenty-six years old. At this age, kids in other families are already running around.

Wei Xun can wait, but Madam Wei wouldn't let him wait for three years.

Plus, there's A Yuan in Wei Xun's courtyard, and she doesn’t dare take the risk.

Madam Wei’s suggestion came as a relief.

“Young lady, don’t get too excited. I’ve already informed the nanny from the Marquis’s residence, and they will soon select an auspicious date. You just need to wait to be a bride.”

Nanny Chen is naturally Shen Qiuyu's wet nurse, and her heart is with her.

When the young lady can marry well, then servants like them will also have a good life.

......

Madam Wei asked a Taoist nun to pick a date, so the tenth day of the eleventh lunar month is suitable for weddings, and the marriage was set on that day.

It’s already mid-September by this time, less than two months before Wei Xun's wedding.

The entire Marquis’s residence is busy preparing for the wedding. Madam Wei personally oversees the purchases, worried the maids and servants might slack off.

While the residence is lively, the outer courtyard seems quiet.

Wei Xun shows no interest in his own wedding, as if he’s just going through the motions of it.

A Yuan works on embroidery with Chun Tao. As winter approaches, more people are requesting knee pads and warm sleeves, and A Yuan’s orders are booked until year-end.

But thinking of the income, she feels the effort is worth it.

However, in front of Wei Xun, she still dares not overwork herself, after all, he could really take back her shop.

“Are your eyes feeling tired?”

Just as A Yuan was thinking, Wei Xun suddenly appeared behind her.

The man's voice was calm and deep, and A Yuan couldn’t help but shiver.

She blinked her dry eyes, turned around, and smiled. “Not tired. I’ll stop after finishing these few stitches.”

Afraid that Wei Xun wouldn’t believe her, A Yuan even held up the embroidery frame for him to see.

The knee pads were mostly done, indeed only a few stitches were needed to finish.

Wei Xun took it, glanced at it, then put it down, playing with her hand.

“Tomorrow I'll take you to the hot spring villa for a few days to properly nourish your body.”

A Yuan is afraid of the cold, and her hands and feet turn icy in winter. Although the residence has charcoal burners, she can’t get warm all night, and Wei Xun feels sorry for her, so he thought of taking her to soak in the hot springs to warm her body.

But A Yuan turned pale at the mention of the hot spring villa, remembering the danger she encountered before.

“Master, A Yuan’s body is fine, no need to nourish it.”

The fear in her eyes was almost tangible, and Wei Xun knew it was the previous incident that left a shadow on her.

“Don’t worry, it’s not the villa in the outskirts. This time, no one will bother us.”

The man’s tone was gentle, but his attitude was unyielding.

A Yuan knew she had no choice but to nod obediently, "Alright."

"Good girl."

The man patted her on the head and told her to pack up.

The hot spring villa they were headed to this time was still a gift from the Crown Prince. Last time, when Su Wenxuan conducted a search of the villa, Wei Xun had dismissed all the servants, and now the villa had been left unattended. Upon learning this, the Crown Prince gave him another hot spring villa from his private estate as compensation.

While the Marquis's household was busy preparing for his wedding, Wei Xun took A Yuan with him.

The villa was located in the southern part of the city, and the carriage ride took a bit over an hour.

A Yuan took Wei Xun's hand as she stepped down from the carriage. She paused briefly at the sight of the two phoenix trees in front of the villa gate but quickly composed herself.

The servants, who had been waiting, led them inside. This place was originally the Crown Prince's private property, and every corner was elegant.

Though it was winter, the villa was like spring year-round, with various flowers blooming brilliantly. Though A Yuan's thoughts were elsewhere, she was still captivated.

Noticing her delight, Wei Xun had the servants pick flowers and arrange them in vases for their chamber.

In the chamber, the hot spring bath was already prepared, and there was also an unfamiliar, long-faced matron nearby.

Wei Xun took A Yuan's hand and guided her to sit on the chaise lounge.

"Matron Yang is skilled in health and wellness. Let her examine you to see what’s wrong, so we can treat it properly."

It turned out that Wei Xun had brought A Yuan to the villa not just for the hot springs but also to have her examined.

A Yuan was slightly dazed and looked up at the matron.

Matron Yang, with a gentle smile, slowly stood in front of her, said 'Excuse me,' and placed her fingers on A Yuan's wrist.

Her father was a former imperial physician who specialized in treating and nurturing the palace concubines. Though she was a woman, she had inherited her father's medical skills.

Matron Yang pressed for about a quarter of an hour, her expression growing increasingly grave.

Wei Xun noticed her gaze, and his heart clenched.

"Is Lady Xie unwell?"

Matron Yang withdrew her hand, looking at A Yuan with pity, then quickly averted her gaze and replied.

"Replying to the Young Master, Lady Xie's cold hands and feet are due to prolonged use of contraceptive medicine, which has harmed her body. All medicine has its side effects. If Lady Xie continues to take it, she may have difficulty conceiving in the future..."